Did you know that the average person has five social media accounts, and spends at least 1 hour and 40 minutes on social media in ONE day?Did you also know that the average person spends 5 hours on their phone in ONE day?

C R A Z Y, right?!? And hey, I am just as guilty, if not more, than the next person. As I reflected back on 2017, I realized that this has been a source of sadness and anxiety for me. You know what I mean. Like:

Why didn't they text me back? I feel like that photo should have gotten more likes.Did I save the streak? Why did they lose the streak? Why did they read that and not reply? Did they not get my message? Should I share this on Facebook?Is this funny enough?What would people think about that? How does this edit look? Got any funny caption ideas? Did I put too much on my story? Why does their life look so much better than mine? etc.

Now, you may not ask yourself all these questions, but these are thoughts I found myself thinking over the last year. Don't get me wrong, I am also a fan of social media, but it comes with such pressure. I also believe it can be unhealthy to the point where it changes a person. Several of my friends have recommended over the course of the year that I should try and spend less time on social media , and eventually my phone, but I was too stubborn to listen. You have to keep the followers happy, right? False. You need to keep yourself happy. Obsessing over posts and pictures can lead you down the wrong path.

For me, spending less time on social media is a resolution for 2018 that is on the top of my list. I have other goals on my list, like spending more time in the word and pray, reading more for fun, and exercising more. I realized that if I cut back on social media, I would have time to properly do these things. I have already read two books this month!! Don't get me wrong, removing myself from the constant barrage of social media has also been inconvenient, but it is so worth it for me. I gave up Facebook (although, I will still be sharing this on there for people to read). And. I have also done away with Snapchat (I still have been keeping my streaks because I am loyal and may get back on there one day so I want to keep them up... lol pointless-seeming I know...but it was a big investment for me to just throw away). The only site I really use and check now is Instagram. I know what some of you are thinking, but it is my favorite one and I wanted to be connected somehow. Even this slightest change has already made me feel so much better and it has only been a little over a week for me!

The Chainsmokers recently released a song called "Sick Boy." Not my all-time favorite, but one verse stood out to me: "how many likes is my life worth?" it questions. This is the issue with social media nowadays. Everyone's lives are devoted to social media and if they don't have it, nobody would be known. Their lives would fade away. At least, that is what we think. People aren't living just to live anymore. They live for the likes they will get when they post about it. They live for the Snapchats they can get to make it look like they are having fun. They live for the funny things they can post about on Facebook or Twitter. They make fake and staged poses, take 10,000 pictures in order to get one perfect one and end up editing the life out of it. People are posing for "candid" pictures nowadays. Excuse me, but doesn't the word "candid" mean you don't pose for them? I am so guilty of living for other people and not living for myself, but I can promise you that is going to change this year and it starts with taking some time away from the root of the problem. Even giving up a few accounts makes a difference, I swear. I mean you know it is bad when you are trying to take multiple pictures because you need one for the Instagram story and one for the Snapchat story, but they have to be equally as good. Enough is enough. Live in the moment. Don't let people, or "likes", define your happiness. Your life is worth more than all the likes in the world...that is a proven fact I am thankful for.

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Blessed is an understatement when it comes to my life. Each and every day I am amazed by God's steadfast love. In return, I have claimed this space to show my thanks and whatever else comes along the way. A student at Texas Christian University who loves any creative insta post, all donuts, and dress pants that make you do a double take. I pray God has a grand purpose for me and I plan to get there with a little Southern and a lot of Thanks! Join me!